IMPORTANT Fraud info!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 795
Likes: 6
From: Toronto
Remember when fraudsters were less sophisticated. Has anyone been approached by the guys in a white van that just so happened to have an extra spare of speakers on their truck?
I came out of chapters today and was approached by a guy in a white chevy SUV. He tells me that he has an extra home theatre system that his work gave him by mistake. I hadn't been approached like this in years but I remember when it was more frequent. I told him I had been around the block a few too many times to fall for that. He drove away.
Anyhow, thanks for the tip.
I came out of chapters today and was approached by a guy in a white chevy SUV. He tells me that he has an extra home theatre system that his work gave him by mistake. I hadn't been approached like this in years but I remember when it was more frequent. I told him I had been around the block a few too many times to fall for that. He drove away.
Anyhow, thanks for the tip.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 1
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Two summers ago while stopping at an RBC I had some guy come up to me asking if I wanted a full home theatre, brand new, for $1500. Tempting, but I don't feel like being the new owner of stolen property. And fortunatly I OWE the CRA so I don't think I have to worry about them needing my info, I'm willing to bet they made sure they had it so they could get their $$$$.
Full Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Remember when fraudsters were less sophisticated. Has anyone been approached by the guys in a white van that just so happened to have an extra spare of speakers on their truck?
I came out of chapters today and was approached by a guy in a white chevy SUV. He tells me that he has an extra home theatre system that his work gave him by mistake. I hadn't been approached like this in years but I remember when it was more frequent. I told him I had been around the block a few too many times to fall for that. He drove away.
Anyhow, thanks for the tip.
I came out of chapters today and was approached by a guy in a white chevy SUV. He tells me that he has an extra home theatre system that his work gave him by mistake. I hadn't been approached like this in years but I remember when it was more frequent. I told him I had been around the block a few too many times to fall for that. He drove away.
Anyhow, thanks for the tip.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Every time I hear about a "new" fraud (most new frauds are actually very old) I am always amazed that people actually fall for the stuff.
I don't know if it's based solely on greed, or that and a lack of critical thinking. But it's really sad that common sense cannot be taught in schools.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have just won the Nigerian lottery and need to get a money order.
I don't know if it's based solely on greed, or that and a lack of critical thinking. But it's really sad that common sense cannot be taught in schools.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have just won the Nigerian lottery and need to get a money order.
Every time I hear about a "new" fraud (most new frauds are actually very old) I am always amazed that people actually fall for the stuff.
I don't know if it's based solely on greed, or that and a lack of critical thinking. But it's really sad that common sense cannot be taught in schools.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have just won the Nigerian lottery and need to get a money order.
I don't know if it's based solely on greed, or that and a lack of critical thinking. But it's really sad that common sense cannot be taught in schools.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have just won the Nigerian lottery and need to get a money order.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
It's an official looking notice that is mailed to the mark. I'm sure that getting one up on the man is just another side of greed.
Upon taking a look at the letter, it's obvious to me it's not an official letter from the CRA. The wording in the first four lines is a bit odd.
"As a result, you have been exempt from the Canadian Tax reporting and withholdings on claims to be paid to you. To apply for your claims"
Strange wording and a sentence that just randomly ends.
"Therefore, you are to Use this form to claim your benefit..."
U is capitalized.
"authenticate the following"
No capital A.
"or send through the attachment to the E-Mail"
Weird wording which reeks of translation from a foreign language.
"please follow the steps below"
Missing colon.
"the current mailing address on your Form T2"
Odd wording.
"bank account or other financial dealing has a Canada address for mailing purpose"
Should be "Canadian" and read "for mailing purposes" or something less awkward.
"If any joint account holder are now Canada residents or Citizen".
Odd wording, missing words, tenses not correct, plurals not correct.
"All account holders sign and date the form separately and fax it to the above mentioned number"
Awkward sentence, missing "should".
"Please complete Form T2 'attached" and return to us within two weeks"
Notice the weird quotes on "attached" and there is no "the" before "Form T2". Missing "it".
The next paragraph reads very strangely and is missing the closing bracket.
"On this form, references the Act are to the Income Tax Act"
Should read "references to the Act"
I didn't look at the form itself. But after reading the introduction letter it should be obvious that it's not official and was written by someone who isn't quite literate in English.
Desperation in this case is synonymous with greed and will cause people to turn off their common sense. It is hard to scam an honest person. Most of these (while not this one specifically) require the mark to do something that isn't quite right. This one is less obvious, but it is full of holes.
I may have a difference in opinion regarding frauds then most people as my father worked the fraud squad when he was a police officer. I've read the files and heard about all the crazy things people have been tricked by and have formed the opinion that someone stupid or misinformed enough to be fooled deserves to loose their money. Common sense will bust almost all fraud attempts.
Upon taking a look at the letter, it's obvious to me it's not an official letter from the CRA. The wording in the first four lines is a bit odd.
"As a result, you have been exempt from the Canadian Tax reporting and withholdings on claims to be paid to you. To apply for your claims"
Strange wording and a sentence that just randomly ends.
"Therefore, you are to Use this form to claim your benefit..."
U is capitalized.
"authenticate the following"
No capital A.
"or send through the attachment to the E-Mail"
Weird wording which reeks of translation from a foreign language.
"please follow the steps below"
Missing colon.
"the current mailing address on your Form T2"
Odd wording.
"bank account or other financial dealing has a Canada address for mailing purpose"
Should be "Canadian" and read "for mailing purposes" or something less awkward.
"If any joint account holder are now Canada residents or Citizen".
Odd wording, missing words, tenses not correct, plurals not correct.
"All account holders sign and date the form separately and fax it to the above mentioned number"
Awkward sentence, missing "should".
"Please complete Form T2 'attached" and return to us within two weeks"
Notice the weird quotes on "attached" and there is no "the" before "Form T2". Missing "it".
The next paragraph reads very strangely and is missing the closing bracket.
"On this form, references the Act are to the Income Tax Act"
Should read "references to the Act"
I didn't look at the form itself. But after reading the introduction letter it should be obvious that it's not official and was written by someone who isn't quite literate in English.
Desperation in this case is synonymous with greed and will cause people to turn off their common sense. It is hard to scam an honest person. Most of these (while not this one specifically) require the mark to do something that isn't quite right. This one is less obvious, but it is full of holes.
I may have a difference in opinion regarding frauds then most people as my father worked the fraud squad when he was a police officer. I've read the files and heard about all the crazy things people have been tricked by and have formed the opinion that someone stupid or misinformed enough to be fooled deserves to loose their money. Common sense will bust almost all fraud attempts.
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I read those same files you mention. I agree with your comments but I think a good fraudster will cover the common sense issues as well. Look at Bernie Madoff.
I hate representing alleged fraudsters since they are always trying to find a way out of not paying their bill.
I hate representing alleged fraudsters since they are always trying to find a way out of not paying their bill.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 1
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Of all the CRA forms I've had, I don't recall EVER being asked to send information via E-mail, although I would probably shrug that off so I may be mistaken. That and any CRA forms are always pretty clear and concise and don't involve much that leaves interpretting to the receiver. I'm sure they go through a fairly good editing process to make sure of no chance of the receiver mistaking anything on the form.
Remember when fraudsters were less sophisticated. Has anyone been approached by the guys in a white van that just so happened to have an extra spare of speakers on their truck?
I came out of chapters today and was approached by a guy in a white chevy SUV. He tells me that he has an extra home theatre system that his work gave him by mistake. I hadn't been approached like this in years but I remember when it was more frequent. I told him I had been around the block a few too many times to fall for that. He drove away.
Anyhow, thanks for the tip.
I came out of chapters today and was approached by a guy in a white chevy SUV. He tells me that he has an extra home theatre system that his work gave him by mistake. I hadn't been approached like this in years but I remember when it was more frequent. I told him I had been around the block a few too many times to fall for that. He drove away.
Anyhow, thanks for the tip.
Craig
Oh wow, I'm the beneficiary to 7 million dollars to a dying cancer patient. Better send them my bank info to get that money ASAP.
I've been offered stereo equipment before too in front of Canadian Tire lol.
thewird
I've been offered stereo equipment before too in front of Canadian Tire lol.
thewird
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 1
From: London, Ontario, Canada
I wonder if these guys ever think that it sounds really weird to just drive around offering random people entire home theatres. I doubt it. How many of you keep $1500+ in your wallets strictly for impulse buying? The only time I had a large amount of cash on me was when I went to pay for my 7. I hate dealing with drafts/money orders and checks, and it's such a nice feeling to have a big wad of cash on hand. Usually when I do have that much cash it's about to be spent.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,106
Likes: 0
From: London, Ontario, Canada
I think people who get caught by various financial scams want to believe.
It's the same thing as people who fall for:
* Beer ads - Clearly being drunk makes me more attractive to the opposite sex. It's not that I'm too drunk to realize what an *** I am making of myself.
* Perfumes - If I smell like ****, people will find me more attractive.
* Ads for Dating and "Dating" websites, chatlines, etc. - Perhaps attractive people will want to sleep with me if they don't initially see me in person.
* Online drugs - Ridiculously cheap perscriptions drugs with no accountability or recourse from the seller, how can I lose?! Granted I think the people who fall for this stuff are often oxycotin, percocet, etc. addicts so their stupidity combined with the blindness of their addiction makes them fall for it. A shadow gov't organization should start selling cynide pills that look like proper perscription drugs as a form of darwinism.
It's the same thing as people who fall for:
* Beer ads - Clearly being drunk makes me more attractive to the opposite sex. It's not that I'm too drunk to realize what an *** I am making of myself.
* Perfumes - If I smell like ****, people will find me more attractive.
* Ads for Dating and "Dating" websites, chatlines, etc. - Perhaps attractive people will want to sleep with me if they don't initially see me in person.
* Online drugs - Ridiculously cheap perscriptions drugs with no accountability or recourse from the seller, how can I lose?! Granted I think the people who fall for this stuff are often oxycotin, percocet, etc. addicts so their stupidity combined with the blindness of their addiction makes them fall for it. A shadow gov't organization should start selling cynide pills that look like proper perscription drugs as a form of darwinism.
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